West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Toplines from the Fauntleroy Community Association meeting Tuesday night, led by treasurer Alexis Zolner because of several other board members’ absence:
FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: October 27th is this year’s date (which is the same date as the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival), 2-5 pm. FCA doesn’t present the festival but supports it so it’s a big topic. Organizer Chantille Henry (from WSB sponsor John L. Scott-Westwood Real Estate) said the plan is coming together; the FCA Board voted to approve their usual financial support for the festival, and FCA will staff an info table at the festival, too. P.S. The quarterly FCA newsletter includes the news that Caspar Babypants will perform at 1 pm, right before the festival!
ART WALK: Lora Radford and Reeve Washburn talked about the revival of the West Seattle Art Walk, with venues hosting artists and food/beverage venues offering specials to support it. It’s still mostly in The Junction, though, said Radford, so they are now presenting it to “key neighborhood groups” to explore whether other areas want to get involved. Washburn talked about its growth and promotion. And: “So much energy happening in The Junction, what can we do to share that energy in other areas?” Radford said there are “pockets of small businesses” outside The Junction already participating but there needs to be leadership in other areas to take it beyond that. They’re offering “Art Walk in a Box” tools to help others become part of it. In Q&A, Radford explained that the more you get into it, the more you get back. It’s been a boon to local businesses, with increased foot traffic. This is their first presentation; they were headed next to talk to the Admiral Neighborhood Association (as reported here), and planning to talk with the Morgan Community Association in October. Also: many different types of art can be part of the Art Walk. No decision by FCA this meeting.
FERRY LINE-CUTTING: The recent incident we reported generated some discussion among the board. One board member said he would like to see Washington State Ferries take more responsibility for fully managing “the line and what it does to this neighborhood.” They agreed that line cutting “is getting worse, no doubt,” another board member said, and noted that SPD and WSF seem to be pointing fingers at each other regarding who is accountable for enforcement. There was also discussion of the status of WSF’s contract with SPD at the dock. Education and signage about line etiquette would be helpful too, it was suggested. This also veered into a discussion of people’s general disregard for the rules/laws (as noted in this Seattle Times story). A community member in attendance is considering making signs to let people know how to report line cutters.
FERRY DOCK: FCA is keeping close watch on the future Fauntleroy dock replacement project. The next public meeting won’t be before next month, said FCA’s ferry point person Frank Immel. It’ll be several years before WSF even comes up with a design of what they’re going to build – they have an expert adviser who warns it’s going to be “a long process.”
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets second Tuesdays most months at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 7 pm; watch fauntleroy.net for updates.
From the Seattle Parks website:
All Seattle Parks and Recreation community centers, pools, teen life centers, and the Discovery Park and Camp Long visitor centers will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 19 for a staff training. The only programs that will be operating will be Preschool and School-Aged Care; all other programs, lessons, and activities will be canceled for the day.
8:35 PM: Thanks for texting the photo from Alki! We were not sure about the extent of the storm – until a big flash and loud thunderclap outside the meeting we are currently covering in White Center. No National Weather Service alerts this time, though. Monitoring …
8:47 PM: Six major thunderclaps heard so far.
9:54 PM: Back in West Seattle. Storm seems to have passed, for now. One more cool visual:
240fps slowmo vid of a lightning flash tonight around #Seattle. #wawx @NWSSeattle @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/qrtB8zfUae
— Kevin Freitas (@kevinfreitas) September 13, 2019
Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
ROCK SUSPECT OUT: The 18-year-old arrested for throwing three rocks through the windows of Whisky West on Sunday night while customers were in the restaurant/bar got out of jail tonight. The register notation says he was given a conditional release on his warrant for a 2018 “disorderly conduct” case in Kent as well as on this arrest.
BUSINESS VANDALISM: The latest local business reporting vandalism is My Family Doctor (3623 SW Alaska):
Dr. Terrill Harrington says via email, “My office was vandalized last night with damage to our tree pots.”
6:09 PM: Jeni Lee is one of the artists you can meet on tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk, under way from Alki to Gatewood right now. She’s at Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor) until 8 pm. Here’s the full map/venue list for tonight:
Preview some of tonight’s featured art here! Also happening right now, The Art of Music at California/Alaska – we’re off to check on tonight’s performers, My Real Job!
6:36 PM: Here they are:
My Real Job, playing @WSArtWalk in @wsja tonight pic.twitter.com/9q3wnyx7KQ
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 13, 2019
Until 7 pm, you’re welcome to visit Quail Park Memory Care Residences of West Seattle (4515 41st SW) in The Junction to celebrate its first anniversary!
Treats and prize drawings are part of the party. So is a chance to try Quail Park’s new Virtual Reality program, featuring HomeAgain VR, helping residents transcend the limitations they face with memory loss.
Fourth opening-date report of the day! Earlier this week, Michael sent that photo from outside 4523 California SW, where Lady Jaye has been taking shape in the ex-Pecado Bueno space. Today, we heard from co-proprietor Evan Carter, who says they’re planning to open next Wednesday (September 18th). We first reported on Lady Jaye back in June, when Carter talked with us about the “exciting flavors” and “elevated cocktail experience” planned for their all-ages establishment.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Sound Transit Board‘s System Expansion Committee has just gotten its first briefing on the “initial assessment” of four more West Seattle-to-Ballard light-rail options that might be included in environmental studies.
The committee and full board won’t make their decisions until next month, and starting tomorrow, you’ll get to have your say via an “online open house.”
But first – here’s what’s on the table. Keep in mind, these are IN ADDITION TO what the ST Board already sent into environmental studies. Two of the additional options, Yancy-Andover Elevated and Pigeon Point Tunnel (which also would include a Junction tunnel), are at the start of the slide deck (here in PDF, and below):
We had a chance to ask questions at a pre-meeting media briefing at ST HQ downtown. Toplines from that briefing, led by executive corridor director Cathal Ridge and project development director Sandra Fann, who also briefed the board this afternoon:
These options were assessed with the same criteria applied to the other options in the final review period (“Level 3”) that ended back in May.
One notable point – both of these alternatives would largely spare the Youngstown-area homes in North Delridge that otherwise might be taken out. (The only West Seattleite to speak in the public comment period before this afternoon’s committee meeting was Youngstown-area homeowner Dennis Noland, who has been advocating for saving his neighborhood.)
The Yancy/Andover Elevated option would cross the Duwamish River south of the West Seattle Bridge, would have a Delridge station north of Andover – similar to the original ST proposal – and would connect to an elevated Avalon station. (That still could then connect to a Junction-bound tunnel, it was clarified at this afternoon’s meeting.)
Drawbacks include that the Delridge station location would be “harder for buses to get to.” While the overall effect on residential property would be less than what’s already going into studies, it would affect the Avalon area more.
Its cost would be similar to what’s already budgeted.
The Pigeon Point Tunnel option’s major drawback is the cost – estimated at $200 million, plus you have to factor in another $700 million for the Junction tunnel to which it would connect. The financial estimates, however, aren’t any more detailed than what was listed earlier in the process, ST reps say.
They also noted in today’s briefing that the Junction tunnel would add time to the process. “Years, not months,” Ridge replied to our request for clarification. So if a Junction tunnel is chosen, light rail will not be opening in 2030.
As for that extra money, a commitment would have to be nailed down from the unspecified “third party”(/ies) by mid-2022, when environmental studies end and the ST Board will have to decide what to build.
There’s also a chance that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement’s schedule – to be ready by the end o next year – will take longer if the board decides to add any or all of these extra possibilities to the environmental studies.
Again, the board committee just got briefed this afternoon; most of the public comment was about the SODO option that (along with another Ballard tunnel option) is also being reviewed for adding to studies.
WHAT’S NEXT: Watch for this info to go online in “open house” format for your comments tomorrow through October 4th. The full ST Board will be briefed at its September 26th meeting; the System Expansion Committee then gets to have its say October 10th, with the full board’s final decision “to study or not to study” any or all of these options October 24th.
1:27 PM: Whimsical touches decorate Larry’s Tavern, which will open today at 4 pm at 3405 California SW. We got a peek on Wednesday afternoon – the pirate-ship chandelier is toward the front, with numerous beer signs along the walls …
Lots of shopping to find what you’ll see. (And some custom touches are still ahead, like a Western Neon-made sign in the works for out front.) As promised, lots of game opportunties. There’s a 4-person Pac-Man table. Darts, too:
(Not just machines – they’ll have Wednesday night trivia starting soon.) Co-proprietor Joel Stedman tells us they’re starting with 12 beers on tap – a wide variety from “cheap draft” on up:
When we first spoke with him in July, they weren’t sure about food offerings – now they’ve settled on personal pizzas and sandwiches, mini egg rolls, tater tots, nuts, simple things like that. And outside food is welcome – for example, if you want to get a pizza at Spiro’s next door, bring it on in! While Larry’s (which is adults-only) opens to the public today – we’ll be stopping in for a few more photos after 4 and will update this story – Saturday is the “grand opening,” as originally announced.
ADDED 10:53 PM: As promised, photos from right after Larry’s doors opened:
(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Monica Smith)
It’s already been a busy news day but we still want to hit the highlights of what’s ahead!
FREE BAGELS: Did you see the Bantam Bagels truck in The Junction yesterday? Two more West Seattle stops today according to this link Marlo sent – 11 am-2 pm at Westwood Village, 3-6 pm at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor)
STATE OF THE PORT: The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual State of the Port lunch meeting at Jack Block Park, 11:30 am. If you haven’t already RSVP’d, contact the Chamber to see if there’s still room. (2130 Harbor SW)
SOUND TRANSIT REVISITS WS LIGHT RAIL: 1:30-4 pm at the Sound Transit board room downtown, the ST Board’s System Expansion Committee will get assessment information on 2 more West Seattle options that might be included in environmental studies. Agenda info here; the meeting’s open to the public. (401 S. Jackson)
QUAIL PARK ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: You’re welcome to celebrate the first anniversary of Quail Park Memory Care Residences of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) at an open house, with refreshments and prizes. 4-7 pm. See the new QP virtual-reality program firsthand! (4515 41st SW)
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: As previewed last night (follow that link for the map and venue list), 5 pm-late all over West Seattle. With “The Art of Music live starting at 6! (California/Alaska)
IRISH DANCE: 5 pm, classes begin at the West Seattle VFW. (3602 SW Alaska)
SECOND THURSDAY OUT! LGBTQ social hour and movie, starting at 6 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)
AT THE PARLIAMENT: 9 pm, Cecil Moses & The SGs at Parliament Tavern. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MORE! See our complete calendar here.
(Substituted newer rendering from PCC)
The second grocery-store grand-opening announcement of the day: PCC Community Markets (WSB sponsor) will open their new West Seattle store at 2749 California SW on October 2nd. Just out of the inbox:
PCC Community Markets (PCC), one of Seattle’s original grocers and the largest community-owned food market in the U.S., announced today that their West Seattle store will reopen on Wednesday, October 2 on the same site as the original location at 2749 California Ave. S.W. The 24,000-square-foot store is nearly twice the size of the previous space and features an array of new offerings, like an expanded produce department, PCC’s largest bulk selection, an outdoor patio, café, taqueria, pizzeria, self-serve grain bowls, and more.
“As a West Seattle resident, I am absolutely thrilled to reopen our West Seattle store next month,” said Cate Hardy, CEO. “Since opening this store in 1989, the community has graciously welcomed us, and our West Seattle membership has grown to nearly 4,000 over the last 30 years. We greatly appreciate the support throughout our redevelopment and can’t wait to welcome shoppers to our new space. This store combines some of the most loved aspects of PCC, like our local, organic and sustainably sourced produce, meat and seafood, plus new features that we know everyone will love.”
Furthering the co-op’s dedication to sustainability, West Seattle PCC also is the first grocery store in the world to pursue Living Building Challenge (LBC) Petal Certification — the world’s most rigorous green building standard. The LBC, run by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), will come to life through unique store elements such as reclaimed, sustainably sourced and nontoxic building materials; energy efficient systems that lower climate impact; electric vehicle charging stations; and public art and design features with the sole intent of bringing beauty and a celebration of culture into the space.
As part of the Beauty Petal Certification for LBC, PCC enlisted Seattle artist Celeste Cooning to create “Cloud Wave” — a stunning canopy art installation that harkens to water as the essential life force. Cut and assembled from reclaimed sail cloth, the fluid piece is suspended above shoppers and staff at the front of the store. The West Seattle location features a new design from local architect Graham Baba in collaboration with architect of record, Seattle-based MG2. The developer is Madison Development Group, LLC and the general contractor is Woodman Construction, Inc.
The West Seattle location was PCC’s sixth store when it opened in 1989, joining stores in Green Lake, Kirkland, View Ridge and the now closed Ravenna and Seward Park stores. At the time, sales were just over $10 million. Today, the new West Seattle store brings the co-op’s store count to 12 with total membership at nearly 70,000 and annual revenue of more than $288 million. PCC is the largest grocery co-op in the nation by store count, membership and revenue.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEW WEST SEATTLE STORE INCLUDE:
· An expanded produce department, nearly twice the size of the original store’s.
· PCC’s largest selection of bulk items, including health and body care products, such as shampoo and laundry detergent.
· Full-service meat and seafood, sustainably sourced and cut-to-order.
· A carefully curated selection of 100% Pacific Northwest-produced spirits to complement the co-op’s collection of exclusive wines and local beers and ciders.
· A café featuring handcrafted, certified organic espresso and tea beverages and freshly baked goods.
· Made-from-scratch deli offerings that can be taken to go, enjoyed in the dining area or on the new patio, including:
o PCC Taqueria with pork adobado, beef barbacoa, tofu rojo, chicken verde, rice and beans, and freshly prepared salsas;
o PCC Pizzeria showcasing fresh-baked pizza made in-house;
o PCC Grain Bowls which are customizable with a wide range of flavors like roasted sesame gochujang, and lemon harissa dressing;
o Self-serve offerings, including an antipasti bar, PCC Yogurt Bar featuring PCC Organic Grass-fed Yogurt, hot bar with scratch-made dishes like Moroccan Lemon Chicken and Glazed Tempeh Fajitas, and cold bar with a variety of organic salad ingredients and more.
· A Little Free Cookbook Library to borrow from or donate to, celebrating the joy of cooking in the community.
As with all PCC locations, the West Seattle store will celebrate products that are fresh, local, organic, sustainably sourced and seasonal. More than 95 percent of PCC’s produce selection is organic; its meats are 100 percent organic, non-GMO or grass fed; its seafood is sustainably sourced adhering to Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch standards; and, whenever possible, the co-op sources its products from local producers, farmers, ranchers and fishers. Using those same ingredients, PCC chefs make salads, soups, entrées and side dishes fresh from scratch daily in each store’s on-site kitchen.
PCC is dedicated to supporting grassroots organizations that make up the fabric of West Seattle with donations, volunteering and grants. As they have over the last three decades, PCC will continue to partner with a variety of groups, including West Seattle Food Bank, DNDA, Neighborhood House, West Seattle Helpline, West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, West Seattle Junction Association, Duwamish Longhouse, Hiawatha Community Center and dozens of schools in the area.
PCC veteran Nate Rundle will serve as West Seattle Store Director; he most recently worked at Redmond PCC and previously held leadership positions at four PCC locations. Nate has built a depth of culinary skills throughout his career at establishments such as The French Laundry and is devoted to providing West Seattle PCC members and shoppers with an unparalleled experience.
Opening day detail (added: starting at 9 am):
In celebration of 30 years in West Seattle and the official opening of the 12th PCC location, cake and coffee from PCC Private Label coffee partner Tony’s will be served and the first 112 shoppers will also receive a 24oz. bag of PCC Private Label Coffee. Live music will continue the celebration into the afternoon with a special appearance from the West Seattle High School Band.
BACKSTORY: PCC closed its old West Seattle store in May 2017; the site, where it had long been a tenant, had been purchased by a developer with plans for a mixed-use project – which, a year earlier, was finally confirmed as including a new PCC.
Two days after the signage went up at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW, Whole Foods has just announced when its West Seattle store will open. From the inbox:
Whole Foods Market will open its new 45,000 square-foot West Seattle store, located at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW in The Whittaker Apartment Complex, at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 9. Opening day celebrations will include music and complimentary samples from local vendors before the store opens. The first 300 customers will receive a Whole Foods Market West Seattle reusable canvas tote bag including snacks, swag and a savings card with a mystery value ranging between $5 and $100.
“We can’t wait to open our doors to the West Seattle community,” said Gary Ruiz, Store Team Leader. “Featuring products from more than 700 local suppliers, grocery items and prepared foods for all tastes and preferences and décor inspired by the scenes of Seattle, we’re excited for our neighbors to experience a Whole Foods Market designed specifically for this community.”
All food at Whole Foods Market must meet the company’s rigorous quality standards, which prohibit hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. In addition, all beauty and body care products must meet the company’s body care standards, which ban animal testing and more than a hundred commonly used ingredients.
Special features of the store will include:
· Fresh produce department with seasonal fruits and vegetables, including selections from 10 local suppliers
· Full-service butcher department featuring in-house-made sausages, kebabs and chicken from local suppliers
· Seafood department offering fresh seafood and packaged, frozen fish
· Specialty foods section featuring cheeses, chocolates and pasta from over 100 local suppliers, including a selection of cheeses overseen by an in-store American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional
· Expansive, in-house bakery offering an array of self-serve baked goods, such as cookies, cakes, and breads, with a variety of items from local bakeries and for special diets
· Prepared foods section with a wide selection of hot and cold food bars, including a salad bar, soup wells and stations for tacos, gourmet sandwiches, pizza, sushi, rotisserie chickens, charcuterie and plant-based offerings
· Full-service coffee, juice and tea bar called Brews and Blends, offering seasonal varieties and made-to-order juice, smoothies and acai bowls
· Bulk section with over 150 options
· Selection of beer, wine and spirits with over 300 offerings from local producers
· Beauty and body care department featuring a variety of local products
· Hundreds of products from local suppliers, 15 of which are recipients of Whole Foods Market’s Local Producer Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to local producers to help grow their businesses
Amazon Prime members who shop at Whole Foods Market have access to a number of benefits year-round, like deep discounts on dozens of select popular products each week and an additional 10 percent off hundreds of in-store sale items. In addition, eligible Prime members receive five percent back on Whole Foods Market purchases when using the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card.
To celebrate joining the community, five percent of the store’s net sales on October 17 will benefit the West Seattle Helpline, which offers emergency assistance for members of the West Seattle and White Center communities. From opening day through the end of the year, all donations from Whole Foods Market’s bag credit program, which provides a credit to customers who bring their own shopping bags, will go to the West Seattle Food Bank, an organization dedicated to providing the community with access to safe and nutritious food.
Whole Foods Market West Seattle will employ approximately 120 full and part-time team members. Following the grand opening, the store will be open from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily. Whole Foods Market has 10 additional stores in Washington. For more information visit wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/westseattle
ADDED 8:37 AM: If you’re wondering about parking, there’s a large underground lot accessible off the midblock Fauntleroy-to-40th SW entrance to the complex.
This store has a big backstory of note (with a relatively huge archive of WSB coverage). Whole Foods first announced in 2006 that it would open a store – in the project across SW Alaska from The Whittaker, originally to be called Fauntleroy Place, eventually completed as Spruce, but without Whole Foods, which pulled out in 2010 due to years of development delays outside its control (the space set for the market eventually became LA Fitness). Then when what became The Whittaker was in planning seven years ago, WFM announced it would be the anchor tenant. Development of the project hit a few bumps along the way, even including mayoral opposition. Whittaker construction went ahead but then in early 2017, WFM iced its plan for a store there and a “replacement” was being sought for the space. A few months later, Amazon bought Whole Foods, and a few months after that, the West Seattle plan was back on.
P.S. In the years since the original WFM West Seattle announcement, two other grocery stores have opened nearby – Junction QFC in 2009, Trader Joe’s in 2012.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:29 AM: Good morning!
DEARBORN CLOSURE BEGINS: Today’s traffic headline is the start of the Dearborn closure for demolition of a remaining section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. This means that if you are traveling on NB 99 and exiting just before the tunnel, you’ll continue onto Alaskan Way; NB buses are rerouted too.
This is all supposed to be done by September 22nd.
STADIUM ZONE TONIGHT: 7:10 pm Mariners vs. Cincinnati, so the West Seattle Water Taxi again runs into the late evening.
8:55 AM: Per scanner, driver vs. bicyclist collision in the 4000 block of Beach Drive SW. Apparently no serious injuries as the SFD dispatch is low-level “aid response.”
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